Top 10 neighborhoods to shop in Tokyo

Shopping in Tokyo offers something for everyone: from upscale fashion to quirky finds, traditional crafts to vintage goods, and unique Japanese souvenirs to must-have gadgets you never knew you needed. Whether you enjoy browsing in department stores or hunting for secondhand gems, there's a Tokyo neighborhood perfect for your shopping desires.

1.Asakusa: laid back, souvenir strolling

Asakusa, once the bustling center of Edo's lower city, thrived with artisans and merchants. Today, tourists flock here to visit Sensō-ji, Tokyo's oldest Buddhist temple, but the neighborhood's narrow lanes and winding alleys hide many treasures. Tokyo Hotarudo offers vintage curios, while Yamakichi showcases ceramics and lacquerware. Nakamise-dōri, leading to the temple, is perfect for souvenir shopping, but for less crowded and higher-quality items, explore the back streets. Marugoto Nippon features regional specialties from Japan's 47 prefectures, including pickled seaweeds, artisanal sake, and craft wine. Food enthusiasts also love Kappabashi-dōri for its abundance of culinary supply shops.

2.Ginza: glitz and glam

Ginza stands as one of Tokyo's poshest shopping districts, boasting upscale boutiques and luxurious department stores like Mitsukoshi and Dover Street Market Ginza. The glamorous Ginza Six mall houses Imadeya Ginza sake store in the basement, where you can sample various sake before purchasing. Amidst the grand facades, you'll find simpler pleasures like exquisite crafts at Takumi, a vast cigar collection at Davidoff of Geneva Ginza Shop, and nine floors of stationery and art supplies at Itōya. While Ginza offers plenty to explore, it's not the ideal destination for budget-conscious shoppers.

3.Kuramae: original arts

Once a dull warehouse area along the Sumida River, Kuramae has transformed into a hub for young artisans to showcase their creations. Explore Camera for leather goods and coffee, Maito for clothing dyed with traditional natural colors, and Kakimori, where you can customize your own notebook and ink color. Wander around the district, and you'll stumble upon more boutiques offering unique and handcrafted items.

4.Kōenji and Kichijōji: kooky bits

Just west of Shinjuku lies Kōenji, a vibrant hub of counterculture teeming with secondhand shops and unique discoveries. Don't overlook the array of street fashion stores tucked inside the charmingly rundown Kita-Kore Building or the hidden gems awaiting at Sokkyō's vintage goods store. Venture further west along the Chūō line to reach Kichijōji, renowned for its selection of homewares. Explore Outbound for bohemian decor pieces and Puku Puku for antique ceramics. Jazz enthusiasts can enjoy the scene at local bars before browsing the impressive record collection at Disk Union Kichijoji Jazz Hall.

5.Daikanyama and Naka-Meguro: books, boutiques and bohemian

Daikanyama is a cozy neighborhood filled with cafes and specialty shops, offering a wide range of fashion and accessories. Okura, for example, specializes in garments dyed with traditional indigo colors. Book lovers shouldn't miss Daikanyama T-Site, a bookstore with a vast collection of genres, including photobooks and English novels by Japanese authors.

Naka-Meguro, just a short walk away, is Daikanyama's more eclectic neighbor, known for its secondhand stores, trendy cafes, and hidden bars. Vase is a standout for vintage clothing, while Vendor showcases modern Japanese fashion brands.

6.Shibuya: hip haunts

Shibuya is a hotspot for teen fashion trends in Japan. If you're not part of Gen Z, you might feel a bit out of place, but it's still fun to explore the bustling scene. You'll find music shops and affordable, edgy clothing all around, along with stylish youngsters striking poses. Don't miss Shibuya 109 for youth-focused fashion, Candy for underground designers, and Tokyu Hands for a wide range of homewares, gadgets, and accessories. Gamers should check out Shibuya Parco, featuring stores dedicated to Nintendo and Capcom merchandise.

7.Shimo-Kitazawa: vintage and vinyl

Southwest of Shibuya lies the cozy neighborhood of Shimo-Kitazawa, affectionately known as Shimokita. Popular among students and creative types, it boasts quirky shops, izakaya, and hidden bars. Take a leisurely stroll through its narrow streets to uncover Tokyo's largest collection of vintage clothing stores, including Haight & Ashbury, iot, Lost Boy Tokyo, and Desert Snow. Shimo-Kitazawa is also known for its record shops like Flash Disc Ranch and Jet Set, as well as the diverse stalls at the covered market Shimokita Garage Department.

8.Harajuku and Aoyama: believe the hype

Harajuku and Aoyama, twin neighborhoods, offer a unique blend of shopping experiences. Takeshita-dōri in Harajuku buzzes with youthful energy, while Omote-sandō exudes sophistication. Aoyama boasts high-end fashion, while Harajuku mixes haute couture with vintage finds. Venture into Ura-Hara, the labyrinth of backstreets behind Omote-sandō, for eccentric shops and secondhand stores. Start your shopping spree at Laforet, 6% Doki Doki, and Sou-Sou for trendy clothes and accessories, Gallery Kawano for vintage kimono, or RagTag for pre-loved fashion. For rare sneakers, head to Worm Tokyo, renowned for the best collection in the city.

9.Shinjuku: something for everyone

Shopping in Shinjuku might seem overwhelming at first. The bustling streets and bright lights can be like stepping into a busy arcade. But amidst the chaos, you'll find some amazing shops. Isetan is a top-notch department store, while Don Quijote offers a little something for everyone. Music lovers will want to check out Disk Union, with its eight floors of secondhand vinyl and CDs. Bookworms should head to Kinokuniya Shinjuku South for a great selection of English books and manga.

10.Akihabara: the otaku hub

Akihabara, known as Tokyo's Electric Town district, lives up to its name with stores like Akihabara Radio Center, a treasure trove of electronic components, and Yodobashi Akiba, touted as the world's largest electronics store. The neighborhood is a hub for otaku (geeks) and their love for anime, manga, and Japanese pop culture. Mandarake Complex caters to this crowd, while Super Potato and Retro Game Camp are packed with video game nostalgia. Additionally, don't miss the fantastic crafts bazaar, 2k540 Aki-Oka Artisan, nestled under the train tracks in the area.